Sometimes, getting support is the brave thing to do

Counseling for men

Looking into counseling can feel strange. It runs counter to a lot of how we, as men, are socialized. Strength, stoicism, and self-reliance are deeply ingrained into us and many men say that these qualities make it hard for them to seek support. However, sometimes taking the time to deal with the more difficult aspects of our lives is the brave thing to do.

In counseling, we work on practical tools and strategies for dealing with difficult inner states.

Counseling can help manage and alleviate anxiety, depression, and stress. These states come with a host of physiological symptoms as well as the stereotypical psychological ones. Anxiety and stress can produce everything from headaches to nausea, to muscle spasms; depression can come with a loss of energy, focus, and sleep disruptions.

Counseling can also help with interpersonal relationships. When something is off in our social spheres--be it with a spouse, partner, child, peer, supervisor, or co-worker-- it can cause a great deal of stress.

So how does it work, exactly? I use a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and mindfulness. In essence, the way we think about things often isn’t accurate. Even though we may know this, we may still believe our thoughts and react to them as if they were 100% true. Through the process of counseling, we will examine thought patterns and learn how to react to things in a more logical, helpful, way.

What can counseling do for or me?

Counseling is an evidence-based way to deal with anxiety, stress, depression, and anger. It can provide us the tools we need to be more productive, logical, and effective in relating to the various aspects of our worlds. It can also lead to increased satisfaction, happiness, and fulfillment.